The greenbrier s 10,000 plus acre playground offers activities for everyone and a different experience in all four beautiful west virginia seasons. She amazingly won the contract to remodel the entire hotel and cottages, 710 rooms total, plus all the ballrooms and common areas in only 18 months. Dorothy drapers signature black and white floor, shown here at the greenbrier. Reclaimed oak best floor for dogs bold colors on the floor and furniture with floral design. Draper passed away in 1969, and in 2006 she became the first interior designer to be honored with a retrospective exhibition of her work.
Rarely seen drawings, sample books, vintage photographs, furnishings, and. Shop exclusive products from design icons dorothy draper and carleton varney, including books, home accessories such as throw pillows in our exclusive prints, scarves, lighting, and gifts. The greenbriers famous facade symbolizes the very grandest resort experience in america the foundation of which is its lavish decor and worldfamous dorothy draper interior design. Dorothy draper, americas most fabulous decorator, by carleton varney, lavishly illustrates for the first time draper s most important projects. Dorothy draper interiors pictures design and style of. Amazingly, the book which was originally published in 1939 on the eve of world war ii, is still practical, amusing, and inspirational. Dorothy draper created the most beautiful, lavish american interior design from a most nostalgic period. The state suite in the west virginia wing of the greenbrier in white sulphur springs, west virginia. How to be your own decorator, by dorothy draper, is a timeless howto book about the dos and donts of decorating that is full of practical, inspirational and. The greenbrier s famous facade symbolizes the very grandest resort experience in america the foundation of which is its lavish decor and worldfamous dorothy draper interior design. She shot to fame with her 1939 book, decorating is fun.
I am a member of the gfwcwv rupert womans club and we meet at the greenbrier each year for gfwc convention. Available to the trade, our fabrics and wallcoverings include heritage dorothy draper designs and new prints from carleton varney and brinsley matthews. Dorothy drape r redecorated her homes with such style that other high society friends began to ask her to do the same for their homes, and thus her decorating business began. Few would argue with the statement that dorothy draper was the most influential american interior decorator of the past century. Decorating is fun how to be your own decorator by dorothy. The life of dorothy draper 18891969 reads like an old hollywood movie. Travel colorfully the greenbrier resort vandi fair. She redecorated their first home, and it was received with such overwhelming enthusiasm that it was shortly sold, completely furnished. Inside 1930s designer dorothy drapers riotously colorful. She incorporated black and white tiles, rococo scrollwork, and baroque plasterwork, design elements now considered definitive of. Varney is starting the dorothy draper school of decorating at the greenbrier, a grand resort in west virginia that ms.
Dorothy draper after being out of print for more than sixty years, decorating is fun. She took a world that was drab and dreary and made it colorful. So the first time i stepped foot inside dorothy drapers greenbrier hotel in west virginia, i felt like i was in heaven. Apr 09, 2010 before martha stewart was martha stewart the megabrand, good housekeeping s design director, dorothy draper, was the doyenne of decorating. What i didnt know was how incredibly historic the greenbrier is and how many amazing things there are to see and do beyond the interiors. Dorothy drapers enduring legacy at the greenbrier july 6, 2016 in 1946, a legendary interior designer traveled to rural west virginia to tackle one of her most challenging assignmentsrenovating the greenbrier and recapturing its illustrious past. Oct 01, 2017 is our own retail design and accessories shop. How to be your own decorator, by dorothy draper, is a timeless howto book about the dos and donts of decorating that is full of practical, inspirational and amusing advice. Dorothy draperamericas most fabulous decorator varney. Dorothy draper carleton varney collection fine paints of. Now over 60 years later, the greenbrier had a facelift in 2007. This includes the delightful decorated cafe above with lavish plaster sconces, bright floral patterns and bold stripes. Dorothy drapers greenbrier design sb long interiors.
Like martha stewart, draper was a preacher and teacher whose howto books and. After a book signing, the evening will conclude with a reception. Her protege carleton varney updated the look with a cantaloupe hue, which he says is flattering at night and glows during the day. Last august i finally made my first visit to the greenbrier. This dorothy draper rhododendron wallcovering is a classic pattern at the greenbrier and can be seen in many of our public areas. I first saw this book in the greenbrier resorts gift shop when i was staying there a few. This dorothy draper versailles wallcovering is a classic pattern at the greenbrier and can be seen in many of our public areas. It takes upwards of 340 different fabrics to create the greenbriers exuberant interior collageperhaps the bestpreserved legacy of audacious american designer dorothy draper.
Before martha stewart was martha stewart the megabrand, good housekeeping s design director, dorothy draper, was the doyenne of decorating. Carleton varney dorothy draper design weekend greenbrier resort hotel. From the greenbrier resort in west virginia and quitandinha in brazil to her important fabrics for f. Dorothy drapers greenbrier january 14, 2018 by susan bednar long leave a comment this time of year i find myself thinking of summer pastel colors, warm breezes and outdoor activities. Dorothy draper colors and signature style sensational color.
Nothing about the greenbrier came from a book, he told the capacity crowd, it was out of a fantasy. The companys projects include continuing renovations at the greenbrier hotel in white sulphur. Aug 09, 2017 the first thing that drew me in about the greenbrier was the stunning, colorful interiors and interiors designed by the original american interior designer, dorothy draper herself. In addition, the greenbrier offers world class dining, exquisite shopping, a five star spa, and world renowned golf courses. Carleton varney draper s protege, and president of dorothy draper and company, oversaw most of the renovations to the tune of 50 million. Signature dorothy draper decor featuring vibrant colors, floral patterns and bold contrasts unique to each and every room. The greenbrier resort, a national historic landmark in white sulphur springs, west virginia, has hosted distinguished guests from around the world since 1778.
Stylistically very antiminimalist, she would use bright, exuberant colors and large prints that would encompass whole walls. A splashy new coffeetable book, a museum exhibition and reproduc. Jul 06, 2016 carleton varneydorothys protege, successor, and president of dorothy draper and company, inc. Dorothy draper rhododendron wallpaper mint the greenbrier. From the greenbrier resort in west virginia and quitandinha in brazil to her. President carleton varney says about the legendary decorator and author. Americas most fabulous decorator carleton varney isbn. The high style of dorothy draper museum of the city of new york. Decorating is fun how to be your own decorator by dorothy draper. Dorothy draper s signature black and white floor, shown here at the greenbrier. This book is recommended for those interested in the history of interior design. She designed everything from matchbook covers to menus to staff uniforms.
Design inspiration from dorothy drapers greenbrier resort one writers journey to the decorators west virginia icon triggers a technicolor doover back home. In the middle of this witty how to book by dorothy draper originally published in 1939. Jul 01, 2015 dorothy draper s signature black and white floor, shown here at the greenbrier. Since 1925, we have been creating designs for interiors, furnishings, accessories, and. Famed decorator carleton varney shares the greenbriers.
Dorothy draper november 22, 1889 march 11, 1969 was an american interior decorator. Enter dorothy draper, a new york socialite and renowned interior designer. Born in 1937 as carleton bates varney in lynn, ma, he spent his childhood in nahant, massachusetts. Apr 04, 2016 7 legendary interior designers everyone should know.
In december 1946, not long after the end of the second world war, the renowned decorator dorothy draper glanced at the lobby of the greenbrier in white sulphur springs, west. We just got back from an anniversary trip to the greenbrier. Carleton varney on teaching dorothy drapers design the new. In december 1946, not long after the end of the second world war, the renowned decorator dorothy draper glanced at the lobby of the greenbrier in white sulphur springs, west virginia, and. When we talk dorothy draper, were talking such a large scale, and its in such. For over 65 years, the greenbrier has carefully maintained this distinctive look celebrating luxury, elegance and history in every detail. I didnt realize until years later how meaningful it. Online shopping from a great selection at books store.
Dorothys elegant portrait seems at home amid the rooms lavish plaster sconces, bright floral patterns, and bold stripes. Dorothy draper was a pioneer in interior design, dominating the field from 1925 to 1960 when she was named the most influential tastemaker in america. One of dorothy drapers most famous designs was the greenbrier hotel in white sulphur springs. Dorothy drapers enduring legacy at the greenbrier victoria mag. It was her job, in 1946, to convert the resort from a temporary 2,000bed wwii army hospital back into a luxury retreat for the highest society. I wanted to see big, richincolor, photography of as many examples of her work as possible, and this large coffeetable sized book does not ddisappoint. May 01, 2006 dorothy draper was to decorating, says interior designer carleton varney, what chanel was to fashion. Draper decorated the greenbrier in wv and had a vibrant, bold. Design inspiration from dorothy drapers greenbrier resort wsj. See why dorothy draper is americas most fabulous interior.
Book reveals greenbrier designers true colors baltimore sun. It was especially significant to me because as a child, my father had given me the book. Dec 30, 2012 the drapers had three children, and dorothy draper pursued her passion of home decorating. Dorothy draper was a pioneer in interior design, dominating the field, not only in. Carleton varney on teaching dorothy drapers design the. Sep 11, 2012 this is just a taste of the over the top, wild and wonderful decorating at the greenbrier.
During world war ii it was used as a military hospital. Inside 1930s designer dorothy drapers riotously colorful world. Big florals, bold stripes, bright hues, and ornate details are drapers signature style. This is a book about how to have a good time decorating. Oct 01, 2019 the greenbrier offers numerous activities for all ages and does so in an environment that maintains the original vision of dorothy draper s 1940s design. Midcentury decorator dorothy draper first painted this part of the greenbrier resort in west virginia a mint green. The book, subtitled the greenbrier and other decorating adventures, takes readers on a tour of the greatest hotel projects of dorothy draper, the midcentury manhattan decorator and varney. The greenbrier values the tradition of southern hospitality and honors the vision of dorothy draper s original design. Americas most fabulous decorator by carleton varney isbn. The the high style of dorothy draper at the museum of the city of new york was a grand success, just like her projects, with hundreds of thousands of people coming to see her fabulous work. All hail dorothy draper, the duchess of decorating. Design inspiration from dorothy drapers greenbrier resort. Greenbrier resort, the red, green, pink and coral fantasy she decorated in 1948.